Most Americans have two great misconceptions about European history. One, is that World War II began with the attack on Pearl Harbour, and the other is that Greek heroism ended in ancient times.
Most of Europe thinks that World War II began with Germany’s invasion in Poland. It actually began before that. One could say it was Mussolini’s invasion of Albania, or Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, but what really set the green light for the invasion of most of Europe was the secret 1939 agreement between Hitler and Stalin. This Molotov Rippenthorp pact allowed both allies to take land without fearing a conflict with the other. And just in case you still don’t think they are friends, after the invasion Stalin and Hitler signed a “Boundary and Friendship” treaty.
Of course, they still pretended to be enemies, to get the trust of neutrals. The Soviets used the fear of German aggression to trick the Baltic countries into allowing in Soviet troops. And once those Soviet troops were in the country, well, it was a trojan horse that didn’t even need a disguise. Stalin expanded his territory with Hitler’s help, and Hitler expanded his with the help of Stalin.
Most Greek historians, like British historians, put the start of World War II at the invasion of Poland. (Forgetting the pact, they call it the German invasion of Poland, while of course the USSR helped by invading the other side. Poland might have stood up a little longer against one enemy than two.)
Without Molotov-Ribbenthrop, neither would have dared attack Poland, nor the Baltics, nor perhaps Greece.
However, the attack of Greece was Benito Mussolini’s idea.
The Italian boxer, once a pacifist who objected to his country’s invasion of Libya, had already invaded Ethiopia (1935) and Albania (April 1939).
Mussolini had also attacked Greek boats a few times, with the pretext of retaliation for the death of its official or the pretext of blockading enemies that Greece was trading with. But now, Mussolini wanted more.
Mussolini sent his ambassador to ask Greece if he could send troops there. You know, the way the Soviets sent troops to the Baltic countries.
Picture this. October 28th, 1940. The Italian ambassador, Emanuel Grazzi, leaves a party to talk to the Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas. (Was Grazzi drunk? Who knows.)
Then Ambassador Grazzi shared Mussolini’s wishes with Prime Minister Metaxas.
Grazzi asked something like, ‘you have a choice, you can let us base our military in Greece, or you can risk being without protection.’ Perhaps he imagined a little violin in his head as he awaited the answer.
Metaxas refused.
Grazzi insisted.
- Metaxas
- Alors, c’est la guerre. (So then, it is war.)
- Grazzi
- Pas necéssaire, mon excellence. (Not necessarily, sir)
- Metaxas
- Non, c’est nécessaire. (Non, it’s necessary.)
This seems a bit strange, as in normal French, we’d say, “Si, c’est necessaire” like the Romania, “ba da.” But, the use of “non” gave rise to its equivelent in Greek, Ochi (or ohi)
“Ochi” in Romanian means “eye.” In Greek, it’s “no.” Maybe you’ll write it “ohi” or “oxi” with Latin characters, but you’ll pronounce it how the Scottish or Welsh would “Ochi” or Romanians would “Ohii.”
In any case, rumors spread that the Prime Minister said, “oxi” to Musolini. A newspaper published an article titled “oxi” and the people were ready to fight. Greece rejected fascism, and fought for independence.
Out of context, it might have seemed a short fight. Mainland Greece resisted from the 6th of April to the 1st of June. But that’s much longer than most Americans last in an intensive Hungarian class. And one month, three weeks and five days is a long time compared to how quickly other European nations fell.
Belgium fell in two weeks and four days (10-28 May 1940). Holland fell in a week. (10-17 May 1940). France in about a month and a half (10 May to 25 June). The three together held out for less time than Greece alone.
The Greeks were outnumbered by the Germans and Italians at almost three to one. Two of Europe’s most powerful armiesconcentrated their agression against one tiny country, which was still recovering from a war with Turkey. There was a little air support from the UK and Australia, but it was mostly the Greeks against the Axis.
In the end, the Germans and Italian lost more soldiers than the Greeks or their allies, significantly more. But, they did not let up. After almost two months, Greece was overwhelmed, and the battle became a resistance struggle. Still, the struggle continued for the rest of the war, and so did the battle cry, “ochi!”
Now, if the rest of Europe had fought the way that Greece had, the US might have never entered into World War II. Japan would have feared attacking Pearl Harbor, Germany would have been sent back.
But even if the other armies were weak, still, resistance throughout Europe and the world was inspired by the Greek struggle. Churchill was even rumored to have said:
“Hence it will no longer be said that Greeks fought like Heroes, but it will be said that heroes fought like Greeks.” (attributed to) Winston Churchill.
So you see, heroism did not die out in ancient times. Perhaps it is time to make a sequel to 300, of the proud Spartan, Minoan, Cycladian, and Athenian warriors who held out against a more modern invasion of tanks and planes, thousands of years later.
More information on Ochi day can be found on a Cypriot website, Pals Magazine. Why is a Greek Holiday celebrated outside of Greece?
Ochi Day: The Story Behind Greece’s Historic “No” and Why It Matters in Cyprus